Phillies Sweep Brewers, 4th Straight on Final At-Bat

They do it again! The Comeback Kids are back in the house. Credit Jimmy Rollins on the game-winning hit, but Erik Kratz and Carlos Ruiz set it up in the Phillies 7-6, 10 innings victory. It’s their first three-game sweep of the season.

Ty Wigginton had a costly error in the top of the 10th, but it mattered not. The Phillies survive on their final at bat for a fourth straight day.

WORLEY SO-SO

-This is just Vance these days. He was average, at best, working in and out of trouble, getting through just 5 1/3 innings. The 10 hits allowed is alarming, although he was able to combat that by holding the Brewers to just three runs. He did strikeout six. You have to wonder if he’s feeling the effects, even just a little, of the loose bodies in his pitching elbow. Worley has not been crisp in quite sometime and is unable to get past the fifth or sixth inning. His high pitch counts early on are killing his hopes of pitching deeper into games. Again, not a terrible job by Worley, just not overwhelming.

KENDRICK KEEPS ROLLING

-Get the lunchmeat because Kyle Kendrick is on a roll. (Really unacceptable pun there, I know). Kendrick has now gone 19 1/3 scoreless innings with 1 2/3 more today. Liking what I’m seeing from him in the bullpen; he seems most comfortable there.

-Antonio Bastardo could not keep the good times going. He served up a two-run bomb to Ryan Braun in the eighth inning. That dude is just good. And before you kill Charlie for not making a move, Braun came into the contest hitting lefties at a .317 clip this year and righties at .312; although lifetime, his slugging percentage is .100 points higher against lefties. He crushes everyone equally. However, walk the guy, will ya. Just don’t give him anything to hit.

UTLEY’S BACK

-Chase Utley, the full Utley we’ve known for many years, is rearing his head again. Now, he’ll never be the 30-100 guy from before, I’m not proclaiming that. But he does look good at the plate, in the field, and on the bases. Utley finished 3-for-4 with a couple of run-scoring doubles, raising his average to .260. What I was most impressed about was his running ability, going first-to-third beautifully on a Ryan Howard single up the middle. He also made a sick, over-the-shoulder catch in the 10th inning. That’s what made Chase Utley special, and it’s still there.

-Give it up for Juan Pierre and Erik Kratz, too. Both had two hits and did their part at the bottom of the order. I really like Kratz, he seems like a good guy to have in the clubhouse and is contributing when his number is called.

This was electric! For the first time all season, it doesn’t feel like an automatic loss when theyre trailing. If they can take 2 of 3 or even sweep the braves… Then they’ve climbed back into the realm of postseason possibility. Amaro still needs to make some moves though if they’re clicking now, those moves aren’t as obvious. Still need a reliever and another bat at third like Headley would be an awesome move. Guess well see

Not to at all dampen the fun spirit that permeates the board from this precious sweep, but beating the Rockies, and Cubs, things like that, or the Brewers bullpen (that’s no slap at John Axford, who I have high regard for, and at least feel better having written it even if he is having a mediocore YTD) is good, but let’s get this thing done in Atlanta, and against their pen, and then you really have to open your eyes to the Phils position.

Frankly, I like the Phils chances against the Braves a lot, but this road back is still offering many challenges. A good many have been answered in the 8-4 since the break, but it’s a long road back.

I wonder if its coincidence that this late inning stuff started with 2 consecutive starts where Doc went a few innings. Presence like his, certainly to a point does not seem irrelavant. How much it helps is secondary to on the field.

Close with a quote that I look forward to validating again this weekend as heard on the Braves TV network following a rare early season comeback with half a roster…

“They’re still the Philadelphia Phillies”
– Joe Simpson
May 1, 2012

Simple words, but said with a sense of intimidation. It’s not impossible to put the Braves on their heels. That’s all that matters right now. Well, except the roster going forward. Small detail.

Other than Hamels….our Aces, Cliff, Roy and even Worley seem to be having problems on the mound. They need to step it up a bit. Not understanding Cliff….he starts out doing really well and then falls apart….What is it??? Anyone want to take an educated guess? I think Worley is still having a problem with his elbow and I think Roy has a problem with the heat. He seems to loose energy and sweats profusely on really hot days.

another good win! no a great win!!!! i’ll take lots more too! they’re starting to play phightens type ball now. the starters pick it up and we get a pen peice! who knows what can happen! i really wish we could get a 3rd baseman. Headley? and take wiggy off third. GO PHILS

you guys wanna know what would really piss me off? when schnieder comes off the DL kratz will be sent down! he’s no worse or possibly a better catcher than schneider at this point in schneiders career so they should DFA him when he’s healthy. it’s all about the best players to win right? why keep schneider? plus kratz has way more power and even though he’s slow he’ still faster than schneider.

I sent a text to my Phillies buddy – the Phils played 4 games in one today. They were awesome (game 1), cold (game 2), awful (game 3) and stupendous (game 4).

Check this, my grandson & I were in the line for the kids run the bases day from the 7th on. I thought we got out there early enough, there were hundreds of people & children (note, they are not the same category) in line ahead of us and by the time the 9th inning came, there were thousands behind us. We stayed patiently (right) and listened as updates were streaming in as the crowds reactions gave away what was going on. By the time the 9th rolled around and the Phils were down, Nick really did not care who won it was so hot.

Anyway, it was fun singing “High Hopes” in the streets and checking the mania before the line finally started moving. Was it worth it, sure!

For a while there I sighed and thought “well, the bullpen flushes all our moment down the toilet once again” then this Phillies team decides to stand up and not be willing to take the loss. Maybe, just maybe, this team is ready to go. In any case, it has given something for Ruben Amaro to think about.

If the Phillies continue hot and can sweep the Braves we may have a brand new season starting.